The Gardner-Webb University School of Performing and Visual Arts presents an exhibit by Teresa Prater, showcasing encaustic wax paintings, in the gallery of the Tucker Student Center, through March 29. An opening reception with a chance to meet the artist is from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 6.

Prater is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Studio Art and Chair of the Department of Art and Design at Converse College, Spartanburg, S.C., where she teaches classes in painting, drawing, book art and design.

Prater uses figure and supporting symbolic images to create narrative environments. Her artwork has been shown in 25 individual shows and more than 100 exhibitions nationwide, as well as Mexico and Switzerland. Some of Prater's drawings have won top awards in juried competitions.

For more information about this exhibition and GWU’s School of Performing and Visual Arts – Visual Division, call 704-406-4362.

Scenic Roots and Jazz Band present benefit concert

The Crest High School Jazz Band and guest, Scenic Roots, will present a benefit concert for the Crest High School Marching Chargers.

The Marching Charger Association (band booster club) has been working to raise money for an equipment trailer and new uniforms. The last band uniforms were purchased in the late 90s.

The concert will be held in the theatre at Crest Middle School, 315 Beaver Dam Church Road, Shelby. Admission is free, but the hat will be passed at the end of the concert for generous contributions to the band program.

Scenic Roots features Erin and Amber Rogers singing and playing mountain dulcimer, fiddle and banjo. Their music is a blend of bluegrass, old time, folk, Irish and gospel.

Amber was the Kansas State Fiddle Champion in 2011 and Erin won the National Mountain Dulcimer Competition in 2004.

For more information about the benefit concert, call 704-482-1887.

Southern Arts Society features pottery of Doug Knotts

The public is invited to attend a reception honoring potter Doug Knotts Saturday, March 8, from 7-9 p.m. at the Southern Arts Society, 301 N. Piedmont Ave., Kings Mountain.

Knotts' exhibit of stoneware, "Anthropomorphic Beings & Ritual Objects," runs through March 29 at the depot. Knotts is professor and chair of the Department of Visual Arts in the School of Performing and Visual Arts at Gardner-Webb University.

The anthropomorphic work exhibited in this show reflects Knotts' interest in storytelling, and in pottery, that explores a narrative or even a fragment of narrative.

"People in the South are great storytellers, my family fits well within this tradition and it has been followed in my family by my late grandfather and aunts who sculpted and painted the daily activities of their life," Knotts said in a press release.

Page 2 of 3 - "So while I am concerned about the formal aspects of my work, the reason that I make artwork at all is that need to tell stories. In most of this work the viewer must contribute to the story. I have created characters, ideas, animal and people forms and ritual objects that you can use to populate and build your own storyline around."

Most of the work in this exhibit is soda fired stoneware, a firing technique chosen because it reveals even the fingerprints of the maker, and accentuates slip and glaze colors in the cone ten reduction firing that effectively makes firing the kiln part of the creative process.

This exhibit celebrates the rich textile history of Kings Mountain and the surrounding area, following a timeline from the Native American textiles of prehistory, to the textile mills of the 19th and 20th centuries that were instrumental in the development of this region, to the contemporary local textile manufacturers who continue to thrive in the industry through innovations in textile technology and environmentally sustainable practices. Hands-on activities help children and adults better understand textile technologies and their importance to society – a common thread in Kings Mountain’s culture from prehistory to today. Common Threads is proudly sponsored by J.E. Herndon Company, Neisler Brothers, Inc., Patrick Yarn Mills, Inc. & Specialty Textiles, Inc.

The museum will present “Shakespeare’s Spear: the History of Heraldry” March 27 at 5:30 p.m. in partnership with Mauney Memorial Library’s 2014 Community Read “Whole Lotta Shakespeare Goin’ On.” Learn about the history of heraldry – the art and science of blazoning Coats of Arms. Heraldry originated as a method of identifying iron-clad knights on the fields of tournaments and battles, and evolved into a complex system used by royalty and nobility as a sign of status and heredity. Hear the telling tale behind the grant of Shakespeare’s Coat of Arms, which includes two spears as a visual representation of the family name, and which helped a once-impoverished family regain their reputation. Participants can create their own Coats of Arms. Presented in partnership with Mauney Memorial Library’s 2014 Community Read “Whole Lotta Shakespeare Goin’ On.”

Admission to the museum is free. Donations are appreciated. All donations go towards fulfilling the Museum’s mission to collect, preserve, and interpret history through exhibits, educational programs, tours, and other appropriate means, in order to foster a deeper understanding of the history of our community and the region.

Page 3 of 3 - To find out more about upcoming exhibits and events, visit: www.kingsmountainmuseum.org or call 704-739-1019.

Lincoln Guild presents Seussical

The Lincoln Theatre Guild and First Federal Savings Bank will present Seussical, a musical based on the works of Dr. Seuss in March and April at the Lincoln Cultural Center, 403 E. Main St., Lincolnton.

Seussical, directed by Pete DeGregory, is presented by a special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Performances are March 28, 29 and 30 and April 4 and 5. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m. and Sunday performances are at 3 p.m.

The box office opens March 4 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. Tickets are also available at the door or online at www.lincolntheatreguild.com. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors.

A special showing, sponsored by the Lincoln Arts Council and N.C. Arts Grassroots Grant, will be presented on April 6 to Girl Scouts and other youth groups. Tickets for this show have already been given out and it is not open to the public.